Crossword Genius

Actors initially enjoy class (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caste

'class' is the definition.
(type of social class)

'actors initially enjoy' is the wordplay.
'actors' becomes 'cast' (group of actors).
'initially' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'enjoy' is 'e'.
'cast'+'e'='CASTE'

(Other definitions for caste that I've seen before include "Group within society" , "Level in society" , "Hereditary Hindu social division" , "Social status" , "Large, long-necked, wading bird" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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